Oklahoma Sooners Football

Texas and Oklahoma have "reached out" to the SEC about potentially joining the conference, according to the Houston Chronicle's Brent Zwerneman.

Brett McMurphy of Stadium spoke to a source who said there's mutual interest in the partnership:

Texas & OU enquired w/SEC about leaving Big 12 & SEC has interest in both schools, sources told @Stadium. “This will take some time but there is interest on both sides,” source said. Added Big 12 source: “This was inevitable." SEC by-laws require 11 of 14 schools to extend invite

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 21, 2021

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said that "somebody dropped a report from unnamed people" and that conference officials are only focused on the upcoming season.

A spokesman for the Longhorns was similarly vague, per the Austin American-Statesman's Brian Davis: "Speculation swirls around collegiate athletics. We will not address rumors or speculation."

Oklahoma State said in a statement it "would be gravely disappointed" if Texas and Oklahoma have engaged in discussions with the SEC:

Oklahoma State with an assertive statement. pic.twitter.com/BybBf6nCFZ

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) July 21, 2021

The situation could evolve fast; a source told Zwerneman an announcement could come within a few weeks.

This isn't the first time the Big 12 has faced the threat of losing its two biggest member schools.

Oklahoma was "within 30 minutes" of bolting to the Pac-12 when realignment changed the landscape of major college sports in 2010, CBSSports.com's Dennis Dodd reported in 2016. Intrigue surrounded Texas around the same time before the Longhorns recommitted to the Big 12.

The timing of this move would be surprising given the College Football Playoff could expand to 12 teams.

Leaving the Big 12 with the four-team playoff in place would make sense given that Oklahoma is the only conference representative to make the event.

The Pac-12 and Big 12 have both been losers in the playoff era because they're not perceived to be as strong as their Power Five counterparts. But a 12-team playoff might alleviate that problem since it could guarantee every Power Five conference at least one bid.

Jumping ship to the SEC could leave Oklahoma and Texas in the same position they are now:

Any notion of OU and Texas going to the SEC would be news to the Big 12. There's a feeling it wouldn't make sense competitively, as there'd be a much more difficult road to the College Football Playoff.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 21, 2021

The Big 12's TV contracts with ESPN and Fox could also be an issue; Zwerneman noted they run through 2024. "A source said Texas was planning to notify the Big 12 within the next week that it wasn’t interested in renewing the league’s media grant of rights, which expire in 2025," according to McMurphy.

Exiting would be a costly endeavor, negating some of the financial benefits of playing in the SEC.

One thing to keep in mind is that Big 12 TV contract with ESPN/Fox extends for another four years. So does the grant of rights. Don't know how Texas and Oklahoma get around that to leave for SEC before then. Sure it's possible but ...

— Chuck Carlton (@ChuckCarltonDMN) July 21, 2021

From the SEC's perspective, adding Texas and Oklahoma would be a no-brainer.

The conference would widen its footprint while getting a perennial playoff contender in the Sooners and one of the most recognizable programs in college football in the Longhorns.

And if the NCAA follows the suggestion of president Mark Emmert and allows conferences to enjoy autonomy, 16-team super-conferences in college football are probably inevitable.

But those who remember the 2010 realignment saga will likely be skeptical about the likelihood that Texas and Oklahoma say goodbye to the Big 12.

Oklahoma has turned into a quarterback powerhouse program, and it landed a future signal-caller Sunday.

Malachi Nelson—who is a 5-star prospect and the No. 5 overall player and No. 2 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings—chose the Sooners over Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC.

He also wasted no time endearing himself to Oklahoma fans with a horns-down shot at archrival Texas:

BOOMER AGAIN! 5⭐️ QB @MalachiNelson9 commits to Lincoln Riley and @OU_Football 🔥🔥

(via @CBSSportsHQ) pic.twitter.com/xq4VfLlKki

— 247Sports (@247Sports) July 18, 2021

Malachi Nelson is starting early with the Horns Down!

The Sooners land the 5⭐️ QB stud#OUDNA pic.twitter.com/QLM18AxxVn

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) July 18, 2021

One look at that list of finalists should indicate what type of player Nelson can be considering it is largely a list of the national championship contenders almost every single season in college football.

Greg Biggins of 247Sports noted that "Nelson has all the physical tools you could want in a next-level signal-caller" and pointed to his ability to hit receivers at all three levels, including on deep balls. He also is a "plus-athlete for a quarterback as well and shows the ability to extend plays and get out and pick up yards in the running game."

That he chose to play for head coach Lincoln Riley should come as no surprise given the coach's track record with quarterbacks.

Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray took home back-to-back Heisman Trophies for the Sooners during the 2017 and 2018 campaigns, and Jalen Hurts was the runner-up in 2019. Spencer Rattler could add to that list of Heisman winners if he lives up to expectations during the 2021 season.

Nelson has the opportunity to be the next in a long line of successful quarterbacks who thrive at Oklahoma and then make it to the next level.

He may also have the chance to do something none of those quarterbacks did and Oklahoma hasn't done since the 2000 season: win a national championship.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield took a not-so-subtle shot at the Big 12 on Friday after the conference updated its guidance on taunting, which now includes a potential penalty for using the "horns down" gesture in the direction of Texas players.

**NSFW** The following content might offend some viewers, the mentally weak ones of course…. #Boomer #ZebrasProtectingLonghorns pic.twitter.com/ik0e3Q5dcj

— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) July 16, 2021

Mayfield, who starred at Oklahoma during his college career, made ample use of the "horns down" symbol while a member of the Sooners and has continued its use in the NFL.

Big 12 Coordinator of Officials Greg Burks said Thursday a crackdown on taunting was one of the conference's goals for 2021, but he noted a lot of discretion would remain with the officials to handle on a case-by-case basis.

"Lemme put it this way," Burks told reporters. "If you do a 'horns down' to a Texas player as an opponent, that's probably going to be a foul."

He added: "Please all of you note, I said 'probably.' We have to consider intent and consider the situation. We'll leave it to officials."

This year's Red River Rivalry is scheduled for Oct. 9 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The implementation of the updated guidelines will surely be watched closely throughout the contest.

Unfortunately for Mayfield, it's unlikely he'll be able to attend this season's game between the Sooners and Longhorns because the Browns have a 1 p.m. local time kickoff in Los Angeles the next day as they face off with the Chargers in a key AFC matchup.

The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner will probably be active on social media, however, especially if OU picks up its fourth straight victory over UT.

If you ever thought 11 a.m. was far too early to be up and around on a Saturday, you aren't alone. 

Nebraska and Oklahoma will renew their rivalry on the gridiron on Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. CT, much to the chagrin of the latter school. OU athletic director Joe Castiglione issued a statement Thursday saying the Sooners are "bitterly disappointed" with the kickoff time:

Statement from @soonerad on the OU-Nebraska football game: pic.twitter.com/p6fUJBwW5e

— Oklahoma Sooners (@OU_Athletics) May 27, 2021

Castiglione added that Oklahoma "tried every possible avenue to proactively make our case" and had the support of the Big 12, only for Fox to turn down the requests.

That start time certainly isn't the most convenient because players will have to begin their pregame preparations relatively early in the morning. But 11 a.m. isn't a significant departure from the noon time slot schools in the Eastern time zone typically occupy each week.

This is also the tradeoff when the Big 12 signs a 13-year, $2.6 billion deal with its television partners.

Should Nebraska upset Oklahoma, you can bet the phrase "body clock" will re-enter the college football vernacular.

Former Oklahoma football players Seth McGowan and Trejan Bridges are facing felony arrest warrants in connection with an alleged armed robbery. 

Per Joe Buettner of the Norman Transcript, warrants were filed for McGowan and Bridges in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, on charges of robbery, conspiracy, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley told reporters on Thursday that McGowan and Bridges were no longer with the program. 

"They're not members of our program anymore," Riley said. 

Riley's announcement came after Nolan Clay of The Oklahoman reported that Bridges,  McGowan and another unnamed male were accused of robbing a man and beating him at his apartment on the night of April 15.

According to the police report, the victim said he had refused to sell marijuana to McGowan. He said McGowan then showed up at his apartment with two other men—one of whom was armed and the victim recognized as Bridges—and proceeded to hit and kick him, ransack his apartment and steal a number of items including a camera, marijuana, jewelry and a backpack. The victim also said Bridges threatened to kill him.

Clay noted that Bridges told police officers he "had nothing to do with this incident."

McGowan entered the transfer portal last month, per The Athletic's Jason Kersey. 

Bridges appeared in 10 games over the past two seasons with the Sooners. McGowan played in seven of Oklahoma's 11 games as a freshman in 2020. 

Running back Seth McGowan and wide receiver Trejan Bridges have been kicked off the Oklahoma Sooners football team amidst amidst an ongoing robbery investigation, though neither man has been charged to date.

"They're not members of our program anymore," head coach Lincoln Riley told reporters on Thursday.

Bridges, McGowan and another man were accused of robbing a man of marijuana, per Nolan Clay of The Oklahoman. The victim said he was beaten up by the three men and that Bridges held him up at gunpoint and threatened to kill him, and that the robbery took place after he refused to sell marijuana to McGowan.

"As the suspects were leaving Bridges told the victim that he would come back and kill him if he got up before ten minutes passed," the police report stated. "When patrol arrived on scene they observed a living room in disorder and the victim was bleeding from the top of his head."

When police searched Bridges' apartment they allegedly found a .45-caliber Glock handgun and "a bag of green substance appearing to be marijuana," per that report.

Both Bridges and McGowan have denied any involvement in the alleged robbery. 

Bridges, 20, has caught nine passes for 101 yards and two scores in his two seasons in Norman. McGowan, 19, made an impact during his freshman season last year, rushing for 370 yards and three scores in seven games. 

Both players were suspended from the team in April, and The Athletic's Jason Kersey reported on April 29 that McGowan had entered the transfer portal.

Two Oklahoma football players are suspects in an armed robbery that allegedly took place April 15. 

Wideout Trejan Bridges and tailback Seth McGowan have not been charged but were both named in an affidavit for a search warrant obtained by Jason Kersey of The Athletic. 

According to Kersey, police recovered a handgun, loaded magazines and drug paraphernalia following a search of Bridges' apartment in Norman on April 16. Neither player appeared in the Sooners' spring game on April 24. On Thursday, McGowan entered the transfer portal. 

“Kind of like everybody else,” Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said, “just letting this thing play out from a legal standpoint, and then we’ll make any decisions we’ve got to make from there.”

The alleged victim stated in an affidavit that McGowan sent him a message on Snapchat seeking to set up a marijuana purchase that the victim declined. McGowan then allegedly showed up at the victim's apartment with two other men, including Bridges, who the victim indicated was armed. 

The victim further claimed he grappled with McGowan before being struck with the gun and kicked repeatedly as an unnamed suspect stole a backpack, camera and designer shoes from the victim's bedroom. 

Per Kersey:

"Less than a week after the search, Bridges’ apartment complex—The Cottages of Norman—sent him an eviction notice, writing that his alleged actions violated his rental agreement and that 'we also believe … that your actions and your continued residency threaten and would be detrimental to the health, safety and well-being of other residents.' The notice to vacate gave Bridges one day to leave the apartment. Earlier this week, The Cottages filed a petition for forcible entry and detainer in Cleveland County District Court. A hearing has been set for May 5."

Bridges was stopped by police on the night of the robbery. A the wideout maintained he was with his girlfriend in an interview with officers who brought him in for questioning. 

Both players were highly-touted recruits who played a role in helping the Sooners reach the Cotton Bowl last December. 

Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Trejan Bridges and running back Seth McGowan are reportedly considered suspects by the Norman Police Department in a robbery investigation, according to Parker Thune of 247Sports.com. 

Both players have reportedly been suspended by the team. 

"We are aware of a matter that may involve OU student-athletes and are monitoring the situation closely," the school's athletic department said in a statement, per John E. Hoover of SI.com. "The student-athletes in question have been suspended pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation. We have no other information to share at this time."

Per Thune, "Several NPD officers apprehended Bridges at approximately 10:45 p.m. Thursday night less than a mile from campus, and police on the scene disclosed that the redshirt sophomore wide receiver had been detained in connection with an alleged robbery involving firearms at the Crimson Park apartment complex."

Norman Police said no arrests have been made, and Bridges was released after being questioned by officers. 

Norman Police Department Captain Brent Barbour told Hoover there were three suspects in total and that an alleged victim of the robbery was injured but did not need hospitalization.

"I believe three (total alleged suspects)," Barbour said. "I have heard two, and I have heard three. Three is what we're going with."

Bridges is a sophomore receiver for the Sooners. He missed all but two games last season after being suspended for failing a drug test. He's caught nine passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns in his college career, though he was expected to play a major role in the passing game this season as a junior. 

"Me and him have some of the best chemistry on the entire team," quarterback Spencer Rattler said April 10, per Ryan Aber of The Oklahoman. "Just having him back is such a mismatch on that outside."

McGowan, a freshman, rushed for 370 yards and three touchdowns in his first season with the Sooners. He was expected to pair with Kennedy Brooks (who opted out of the 2020 season) and Marcus Major to give the team a dangerous backfield in 2021. 

Walker Brown's attorney said Thursday that his client's actions were "legally justified" when he fought University of Oklahoma wide receiver Spencer Jones at a bar this month.

According to TMZ Sports, attorney Steve Stice said the following regarding the incident:

"There is more to the story than what is depicted in the video. What is not shown is the original assault and battery suffered by Mr. Brown at the hands of Mr. Jones and his friend shortly before the captured footage.

"As can be seen, my client's nose and clothing were bloodied prior to the beginning of the video. Mr. Brown was legally justified in defending himself in this matter."

The fight, which occurred in the bathroom at Logie's on the Corner in Norman, Oklahoma, was captured on video (Warning: Some language NSFW):

https://twitter.com/OldRowSooners/status/1362962386592755715

In addition to Brown punching Jones multiple times in the face, friends of both parties can be seen fighting as well.

Stice also said Brown was injured in the fight caught on video and an alleged previous scrap with Jones, noting that Brown suffered a torn biceps that will require surgery.

Per TMZ, Jones underwent surgery to repair damage suffered to his eye as a result of the brawl.

Jones' attorney, Woody Glass, said Jones was not the aggressor in the fight and that it's "safe to say" a civil lawsuit is in the cards.

The Norman Police Department is currently investigating the fight on the heels of Jones reporting an assault to the authorities.

Jones is a Nashville, Tennessee, native who transferred to Oklahoma after beginning his college football career at Liberty.

Jones, who is set to enter his redshirt senior season in 2021, did not make a catch last season but served as the Sooners' regular holder on place kicks.

Oklahoma Sooners holder and wide receiver Spencer Jones nearly lost his left eye after getting into a fight in the bathroom of the school's Norman's Logies on the Corner bar, according to Mason Young and Austin Curtright of OUDaily.com. 

The incident took place Saturday evening. Video of the fight was shared on social media (NSFW):

https://twitter.com/OldRowSooners/status/1362962386592755715

Jones, a redshirt senior, underwent surgery Feb. 16 after the swelling around his eye reduced.

"Dr. [Perry] Brooks came out of that surgery saying he's extraordinarily lucky at this point, that he's lucky he didn't lose the eye altogether," Jones' attorney, Woodrow Glass, told Young and Curtwright. "And so he was able to do some things surgically to rebuild that orbital socket and thinks everything is eventually going to come back to normal, but it's going to take a while for him to fully recover."

Glass said that Jones was "trying to be a peacekeeper" before the fight broke out, though the video showed the man who fought Jones wiping blood from his face before throwing punches. 

"He was trying to de-escalate that situation," Glass said. "But unfortunately, it wasn't de-escalated despite his best efforts, and he became the victim of this vicious assault you've seen."

The Norman Police Department confirmed to the Oklahoma Daily's Mason Young and Austin Curtright that it is currently investigating the situation. Norman Public Information Officer Sarah Jensen told the Oklahoma Daily that it would be up to the Cleveland County district attorney to determine if any charges would be filed at the conclusion of the investigation.

Jones was named to the All-Big 12 Academic First Team in 2020 and was the Peter Mortell Holder of the Year award winner, a somewhat tongue-in-cheek award given to the nation's best holder.